About the role
Salary: $74,692
Department: Microbiology
Physical work location: 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029
Name PI or Supervisor: Gustavo Palacios, PhD
Web link to Lab: <https://palacioslab.com/>
Web link to Department: https://icahn.mssm.edu/about/departments/microbiology
Administrative Contact: Molly Deroy, molly.deroy@mssm.edu
Details of Research Project:
The Palacios Laboratory is recruiting multiple motivated Postdoctoral Fellows to join a dynamic, collaborative research team working across complementary programs in emerging-virus research, including DOORs, VITAL, and REVISE within EVOLVE. Together, these efforts seek to identify and validate critical virus-host dependencies, engineer safer and more durable immune protection, and develop precision strategies that create virus-resistant cellular states while preserving normal host biology. Projects integrate experimental virology, functional genomics, receptor and antigen engineering, immunology, multi-omics, and in vivo validation to advance broadly applicable countermeasures against persistent, respiratory, and emerging viral threats. Individual project assignments will be matched to each fellow's expertise and program needs.
Key Responsibilities:
1. **Experimental Design & Implementation** 2. **Data Analysis & Integration** 3. **Project Management & Collaboration** 4. **Publication & Presentation**
Perform virological and immunological assays under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions, including cell-based, ex vivo, organoid, and in vivo studies with viruses relevant to pandemic preparedness, persistent infection, and emerging disease.
Generate, analyze, and integrate multi-omics, functional-genomics, immunological, and virological datasets to connect molecular mechanisms with infection, immune protection, and host-cell fitness.
Collaborate with computational biology teams to prioritize host dependencies, receptor variants, and immunogen designs and to support AI/ML-guided analyses.Work closely with teams at ISMMS and partnering institutions, coordinating experiments, sharing data, and aligning research efforts. Participate in cross-functional meetings to report progress, address challenges, and contribute to strategy discussions.
Prepare and publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals.
Present research at conferences and program review meetings.
Technical Duties:
- Mammalian cell culture and viral propagation
- Viral entry, replication, neutralization, and challenge assays
- CRISPR-based gene editing and receptor/function validation
- Flow cytometry, CyTOF, and cellular immune profiling
- ELISA, ELISPOT, Western blotting, and qPCR
- Multi-omics sample preparation and data interpretation
- Mouse or other relevant preclinical model work
Educational and other Requirements for the position:
PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
- Expertise in virology, with hands-on experience in viral culture, cell-based assays, and host-pathogen interaction studies.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: functional genomics or gene editing; vaccine or antigen engineering; cellular immunology; multi-omics; organoid systems; or animal models.
- Familiarity with BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory practices.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
**Experience Required:** MD or PhD
Goals/Outcomes of the Research Project:
Compensation Statement
The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $74,692.00 - $80,000.00 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.
SPOC-UAW Local 4100 at Icahn School of Medicine (Post Docs), 815 - Microbiology - ISM, Icahn School of Medicine